Fashion 25 Expert Tips for a Stylish Summer By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on March 24, 2015 @ 01:48PM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Time Inc. Digital Studio 25 Expert Tips for a Stylish Summer 01 of 25 Give Stylish Hostess Gifts Time Inc. Digital Studio "I think you really have to think of where you're going and to whom you are bringing it. I love to give a book, or outdoor towels are a great gift for people who have a pool or live by the beach."-ADAM LIPPES, Adam + Eve Terrycloth beach towel, Chanel, $445; at select Chanel boutiques, 800-550-0005. 02 of 25 Buy Crisp, White Pants Starmax "First, get a pair of white pants that are fitted but not so tight where you see any panty lines. Proper underwear for white trousers is key. It needs to be nude and without lines. White pants just look fresh."-FREDDIE LEIBA, N.Y.C. stylist 03 of 25 Replace Flip-Flops with Flats Time Inc. Digital Studio "Flats with a closed toe," answers designer Tory Burch when asked what she'll wear walking in the city this summer. "I'm not a big fan of walking on the street in flip-flops." Audrey ballet flats, Tory Burch, $225; 714-689-0450. 04 of 25 Wear a Maxi Dress Astrid Stawiarz/Getty "I like the look of a long, cotton print-dress from Etro, Tory Burch or Michael Kors. The look is a cross between Talitha Getty and American suburban. I would wear a flat sandal or bare feet at home because you want to be comfortable, not tripping around your house in high heels."-VINCENT BOUCHER, stylist 05 of 25 Make Sure Your Cover-Up's as Chic as You Time Inc. Digital Studio "This season's Stella McCartney white cotton oversize poet shirt is a great way to look totally updated at the beach. Throw it over a swimsuit to head into a restaurant."-FREDDIE LEIBA White shirt dress, Stella McCartney, $565; 310-273-7051. 06 of 25 Multi-Purpose Sunglasses London Entertainment/Splash "I wear sunglasses on my head a lot, as if they were a headband. This way you won't lose them and they still stay functional."-TORY BURCH 07 of 25 Stylish Weekend Wear Time Inc. Digital Studio "The perfect casual weekend look is just-above-the-knee shorts-Phillip Lim did some fab silk ones with pleats-paired with a simple cotton tank. Sigerson Morrison patent-leather flats would look great with this look."PENNY LOVELL, celebrity stylist Reverse box-pleat shorts, Phillip Lim, $320; 305-864-0202 or 310-470-8781. 08 of 25 Add Jewelry (Not Makeup) Marsaili McGrath/Getty "Less makeup, more jewelry," says celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe about dressing up for summer. "Tan and a lot of makeup is not a good look, and red lipstick with a tan is so very Bad News Bears. Never." 09 of 25 Tall Time Inc. Digital Studio "I just got white Anlo jeans with gold-button details. I know I will be wearing these all summer."-SHOSHANNA LONSTEIN GRUSS, designer Pascale jean in white, Anlo, $198; intermixonline.com. 10 of 25 Keep Colors Neutral for Day Fame "People wear too many bright colors, and I'm a fan of bright colors! At night it's fun, but moving around in really bright colors during the day doesn't look fresh. You look much more polished in a neutral-subtle olive, gray-blue or clay colors.-VINCENT BOUCHER 11 of 25 The Perfect Work Dress Time Inc. Digital Studio "My summer work look is a black dress, a black shift. I have all sorts-just added an empire-waist cotton one from Marni and a fitted cotton sateen one from Miu Miu. I wear them with flats."-ELIZABETH STEWART, L.A. stylist Black dress with gold buttons, Shoshanna, $340; at Lord & Taylor. 12 of 25 The Biggest Mistake Starmax "...people make in the summer is to either be overly casual or overly dressy. It is important to find a balance between comfortable and put-together. Shorts and tees need not be sloppy, and chic black dresses do not need heels!"-EMILY CURRENT and MERITT ELLIOT, stylists 13 of 25 Pair Whites with Black Time Inc. Digital Studio "Black!" say Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, about what to wear with white pants this summer. "A ruffled black satin top feels new. Or try pairing white pants with a white lace top and add a black belt or black beads and black shoes. It has an Edwardian influence and makes white pants feel romantic as opposed to sailor inspired." Black short-sleeve top, Juicy Couture, $158; at Neiman Marcus. 14 of 25 Find a Great Bikini Time Inc. Digital Studio "Hands down, my favorite suit is a Missoni. It looks almost too sexy to wear on the beach!"-RACHEL ZOE, celebrity stylist Viscose two-piece, Missoni, $400; 212-517-9582 15 of 25 Short Shorts Can Be Chic Splash "If you have great legs, wear a pair! See how chic Kate looks in shorts, a cardigan, strappy platforms and her Kelly bag."-FREDDIE LEIBA, N.Y.C. stylist 16 of 25 Fear Not the Gladiator (Sandals) Time Inc. Digital Studio "What makes this season's shorter hemlines look new are flat shoes," says Ken Downing. "The best of the bunch are gladiator sandals: They ground your look no matter how short you go." Patent-leather sandals, Giuseppe Zanotti Design, $695; 212-792-4420. 17 of 25 Get Your Feet in Chic Shape Time Inc. Digital Studio "White polish is summer's statement color-it looks good on everyone. Silver is sexy on feet; imagine a hint of metallic gleaming from peep-toe sandals."- JOANNA CZECH, N.Y.C. manicurist Essie nail polish in Loop-hole, $8; essie.com for stores. OPI nail lacquer in Funny Bunny, $8; 800-341-9999 for stores. 18 of 25 Perfect Summer Hair is Imperfect Stephen Lovekin/WireImage "In the summer hair shouldn't be too coiffed. With its random loose waves and messy part, Kate's hair is perfect in its imperfections." - DAVID BABAII, L.A. stylist 19 of 25 Try a Print Dress Time Inc. Digital Studio "A print dress is the best way to look effortless. An interesting pattern is most stylish on a very simple silhouette. Avant-garde shapes tend to look a bit fashion victim in high summer."-SARAH EASLEY, co-owner, KIRNA ZABETE Cotton dress, Piazza Sempione, $497; at Saks Fifth Avenue. 20 of 25 More Stylish Shoe Options Time Inc. Digital Studio "In the heat, my favorite things to wear on my feet are either espadrilles or wedges, especially Brian Atwood's," says Rachel Zoe. "Plus a platform saves your feet when you're in the city." Raffia wedges, Brian Atwood, $865; brianatwood.com for stores. 21 of 25 Get an All-Over Glow Time Inc. Digital Studio "When using bronzer, you don't want to stop at the face-or you'll get a line. These oversize compacts make it easy to blend the color from the face into the neck, shoulders and arms. Also use bronzer to even out areas where you didn't apply enough self-tanner."-LESLIE LOPEZ, celebrity makeup artist Clockwise from top: T.Le Clerc Terre d'Etae, $55; barneys.com. Lancamp#244;me Bamboo bronzing powder, $45; lancome-usa.com. Smashbox Fusion bronzing body powder in Strip, $55; smashbox.com. 22 of 25 Look Into Lucite Jewelry Time Inc. Digital Studio "Lucite accessories work so well in the summer when you've got a tan. And Lucite's so effortless to wear because it mixes easily with the season's metallic shoes and bags."-SARAH EASLEY Lucite necklaces, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel, $290 each; leeangel.com. 23 of 25 Find a Little White Dress David Longendyke/Globe "…with just enough romantic detail makes a major statement. And white is the perfect playground for colorful or metallic accessories."- KEN DOWNING, fashion director, Neiman Marcus 24 of 25 Try a Skinny Belt Time Inc. Digital Studio "For a fresh look, pair inky high-waist jeans with a white lace-trimmed tank and tie it up with a skinny belt."-EMILY CURRENT and MERITT ELLIOTT Patent-leather belts, BEampD, $175 each; 212-629-3242 or beandd.com. 25 of 25 Another Summer Must-Have: the Low-Maintenance Dress Time Inc. Digital Studio "My idea of a summer bargain is a gauzy linen dress. Roll it up in a ball-you can't wrinkle it enough-and toss it in your bag and go."-RACHEL ZOE Linen dress, Calypso Christiane Celle, $210; 212-585-0310.